Bangladesh has not yet made a decision on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s reported visit to India, his press secretary said on Friday, after several media reports suggested that he could travel to New Delhi from August 23 to 25.
The two South Asian neighbours have been holding discussions for weeks over Rahman’s first visit to New Delhi since taking office in February, as both sides seek to repair ties strained by the 2024 ouster of Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina fled to India after student-led protests brought an end to her long tenure in power and has remained in the country in exile. Dhaka has repeatedly sought her extradition, while India has said it is examining the request.
"No decision has yet been made on the visit," Reuters quoted Rahman’s Press Secretary A A M Saleh as saying, adding that Dhaka was awaiting India’s response on the extradition of Hasina and "other fugitive criminals".
India’s Ministry of External Affairs also declined to confirm the reported visit.
"Regarding the question about the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, I have nothing to say on this matter. If I have any updates, I will share them with you," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a regular media briefing on Friday.
Rahman’s six-month-old government has sought to maintain cordial relations with India since coming to power.
However, Dhaka signalled last week that a more favourable diplomatic environment was needed for the visit, days after Hasina addressed journalists in a move condemned by the Bangladeshi government.
Hasina was forced to flee Bangladesh following violent protests against her government. She was sentenced to death in absentia in November for ordering a deadly crackdown on the student-led uprising.
Hasina has denied the charges and dismissed them as politically motivated. She has also told reporters that she plans to return to Bangladesh in December.
With inputs from agencies
